JPG

I spent half a year studying in Japan at Kansai Gaikokugo Daigaku (known internationally as Kansai Gaidai University). While at Kansai Gaidai I explored and documented several urban districts of Osaka. Over time I spent many hours in a small fashion district called Amerika-mura, literally meaning American Village (or colloquially known as Ame-mura). Ame-mura boasts several stereotypical representations of America, such as a small Statue of Liberty and a Uncle Sam that resembles a psycho clown. Putting stereotypes aside, Ame-mura serves as an off set shopping location from Shinsaibashi (one of the main fashion districts in Osaka). Walking along the narrow streets, one can find a conglomeration of fashion styles; Hip-hop, Rastafari, Mod, Gothic, Lolita and so on. Most people spend their weekends in the district shopping or showing off their unique fashion sensibility. Since much of Japan is urbanized more people spend time out on the streets and walking to destinations. In some ways the public domain emphasizes the exaggeration of visual identity. Coincidentally more visual representations of subcultures is prevalent, while many youth groups spend much of their free time in districts like Ame-mura. Young people want to see and be seen, in some cases wanting to become published in the many Japanese urban fashion magazines focusing on people in the street. The guy on the Kawasaki is a good example of this. It was a very crowded day in Ame-mura when I ask him if I told take his portrait.

Amerika-mura
Ōsaka, JP

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